In PHOTOS: Ramzan, the month of fasting

Ramzan, the month of fasting

Muslim men and women across the world are observing the month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint.

During Ramzan, the holiest month in the Islamic lunar calendar, the Muslim community fasts, abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset.

During this time, Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Quran, to give freely to those in need, and strengthen their ties to God through prayer. The goal of the fast is to teach humility, patience and sacrifice, and to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future.

Ramzan, the month of fasting

In this month, Allah revealed the Quran (the final Holy Scripture) through the angel Gabriel to the last Prophet, Muhammad.

It is believed that this revelation was the final link in the chain of divine communication, which includes the Commandments of Moses, the Psalms of David, the Scrolls of Abraham and the Gospel of Jesus.

Ramzan, the month of fasting

A day in the month of Ramzan commences with the intention to Fast, waking up for the beneficial pre dawn meal (Suhoor), followed by the first daily prayer of Fajr, which is when the fasting commences.

The Dhuhr (midday) prayer is followed by Asr (afternoon) prayer. People are encouraged to make Supplication (Dua), Remembrance of Allah (Thikr) and to recite the Quran throughout the day. Fasting concludes at sunset with the Maghreb prayer and the breaking of fast with a meal (Iftar).

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Image: A woman prepares iftar, the evening meal for breaking fast, in the courtyard of her home in IslamabadPhotographs: Insiya Syed/Reuters

Ramzan, the month of fasting

During Ramzan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip.

The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words.

The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Ramzan, the month of fasting

It is recommended that at least one full reading of the Quran from cover to cover must be completed during Ramzan. The words of the Quran are primarily divided by chapter (surah) and verse (ayat). The chapters vary in length, and generally are ordered from longest to shortest.

To ease the reading process, the Quran is additionally divided into 30 equal sections, called called a juz' (plural: ajiza). The divisions of juz' do not fall evenly along chapter lines, and often break from one section to another in the middle of a chapter.

These divisions are done to make it easier for one to pace the reading over a month's period, reading a fairly equal amount each day.

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Image: Men break their fast in a mosque at Umdowan Ban village outside Khartoum, SudanPhotographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters

Ramzan, the month of fasting

Ramzan is actually a time of increased activity wherein the believer, now lightened of the burdens of constant eating and drinking, should be more willing to strive and struggle for Allah.

Thus, although Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and intimate relations with their spouse during the daylight hours, this freed up time is spend on contemplation and utilized to increase their faith by actively increasing in worship.

Ramzan, the month of fasting

In this way, perceiving Ramzan as a time of heightened activity challenges the misconception about fasting being an excuse to go into a state of semi-hibernation.

All in all, it is an opportunity for spiritual as well as physical purification.

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Image: A Muslim woman tries to cool down with water in front of the Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old CityPhotographs: Ammar Awad/Reuters

Ramzan, the month of fasting

Furthermore, the physical discipline heightens an inner discipline whereby a person can become in control of their base and primitive, hunger, thirst and sexual desires.

In this increasingly materialistic world, Ramzan enables a believer to aspire to more lofty and intangible goals. In this way they will learn to become less attached to this worldly life and cultivate for what's to come.

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Image: A defected soldier who has joined sides with anti-regime protesters to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, reads a Koran at a checkpoint in Taghyeer (Change) Square in SanaaPhotographs: Jumana El Heloueh/Reuters

Ramzan, the month of fasting

A crucial factor in developing this awareness is appreciating the bounties one has and learning the true meaning of contentment and gratification.

No longer does the self covet more, rather it learns to appreciate blessings.

This is not only a mental appreciation but the believer physically feels for the poor and needy, by experiencing to some degree what they feel.

Naturally, this makes one become more benevolent and generous. Charity -- an Islamically obligatory act- thus reaches a heightened new level, whereby the joy is of the donor precedes that of the recipient.

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Image: A student reads the Koran at the mosque before morning prayer at the Al-Mukmin Islamic boarding school in Solo, IndonesiaPhotographs: Beawiharta/Reuters

Ramzan, the month of fasting

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramzan and the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Many Muslims attend communal prayers and listen to a khutba or sermon on the first day of the month of Shawwal. These prayers are held outside or in large venues, such as sports arenas, in some places.

Many Muslims may travel far to participate in these activities. Some communities organize different festivities, such as communal meals or events for children, on this day.

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Image: A student reads the Koran before morning prayer at the Al-Mukmin Islamic boarding school in Solo, IndonesiaPhotographs: Beawiharta/Reuters

Ramzan, the month of fasting

If a Muslim has not given zakat al-fitr during Ramzan, he or she can give this on Eid-al-Fitr. Zakat al-fitr is a form of charity consisting of a quantity of food, such as barley, dates, raisins or wheat flour, or its monetary equivalent given to the poor.

Many Muslims may also prepare festive meals to share, wear new clothes, visit relatives and give presents or candy to children.

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Image: A vendor, selling corn, waits for customers after iftar in Beylikduzu, a district of IstanbulPhotographs: Osman Orsal/Reuters